Full instructions, dosage information and potential known side effects are all available in the leaflet that comes with the prescription product. If you require any advice or assistance with placing your order, please donâ€™t hesitate to contact our team.

Ingredients

RISPERIDONE 0.5mg

How do I take/use this medicine?

Take Risperidone exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may need to take Risperidone for some time before the full benefits can be felt. Do not be discouraged if you do not feel better soon after taking the medicine. Risperidone must be taken regularly for it to work well.

Do not stop taking Risperidone unless your doctor has decided that you can stop. If Risperidone is stopped suddenly, you may feel unwell or your condition may worsen. When your doctor decides that you do not need Risperidone anymore, he will usually reduce your dose slowly. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

You may take Risperidone before or after food. Try to take it at the same time everyday.

Risperidone is available as a tablet, orodispersible tablet or oral liquid.

If you have been given the orodispersible tablet (usually marked as "Quicklet" or "Orodispersible" or "Orally Disintegrating"), remove it from the foil only just before you take it. Do not leave the orodispersible tablet exposed to air. Do not push the orodispersible tablet through the foil as it is fragile and easily broken. Remove the orodispersible tablet with dry hands by peeling the backing off the foil and tipping the tablet onto your dry hands. Place the orodispersible tablet directly on your tongue as soon as it taken out of the foil. The orodispersible tablet will start to melt on the tongue very quickly. Swallow it with or without water. Do not cut, break or crush the orodispersible tablets.

If you have been given the oral liquid, use the pipette (dropper) supplied with each bottle to measure out your dose. Refer to the package insert for directions on how the dropper should be used. The oral liquid can be mixed with a glass of non-alcoholic drink such as water, orange juice, low fat milk or black coffee. Once it is mixed, drink it immediately. Do not mix Risperidone oral liquid with tea or cola (soda).

Always keep your appointments with your doctor so that he will be able to monitor your response to Risperidone.

What should I take note of while using/taking this medicine?

Alert your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

- fits or a history of fits (epilepsy)- Parkinson's disease- Alzheimer's disease- liver or kidney problems- heart disease, including heart rhythm problems- high blood pressure- blocked intestines- glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes)- breast cancer or tumours dependent on a hormone called prolactin - stroke, a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes")- diabetes (you will need to monitor your blood sugar level more closely)- thoughts of harming or killing yourself

Risperidone may affect how your body adjusts to temperature changes. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments.

Inform your doctor if you have an inherited metabolic condition called phenylketonuria. The orodispersible tablet contains aspartame -- it may not be suitable for you if you have phenylketonuria because your body cannot process aspartame.

When should I not use this medicine?

Alert your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while being treated with Risperidone.

Do not breastfeed while being treated with Risperidone.

Risperidone is not suitable for elderly people with psychosis that is related to dementia.

Are there any restrictions on the type of food I can take?

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol will worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Risperidone.

Why do I need this medicine?

Risperidone is used to treat schizophrenia. It helps to relieve symptoms common in schizophrenia, such as distorted thinking and emotional instability.

Risperidone is also used on its own or together with other medicines for the short-term treatment of a dysfunctional mood condition called bipolar disorder.

Risperidone can also be used to treat irritability or aggressiveness in autism.

What side effects could I experience?

Risperidone may make you drowsy or dizzy. If you feel drowsy or dizzy, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

You may feel dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking Risperidone for the first time, or if your doctor is still adjusting your dose. This is normal and should improve gradually as you get used to the medicine. It will help if you get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position.

Some common side effects with Risperidone include difficulty sleeping, headache, tiredness, weakness, agitation, anxiety, mood changes, constipation, weight gain, blocked nose, nausea and stomach discomfort. Inform your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not go away.

Other side effects are rare but may be serious and need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor immediately if you develop slurred speech with weakness or numbness in the face, arms or legs especially if it is only on one side of the body.

Some other side effects may develop only after you have taken Risperidone for a prolonged period of time, such as:- uncontrollable movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms or legs.- menstrual irregularities- breast discharge- abnormal breast growth in men- impotence in men

Alert your doctor if you develop any of these side effects or if you develop any other side effects.

How should I store this medicine?

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

The orodispersible tablet must be kept in its original foil wrapper and original container. Do not store the orodispersible tablets in any other container except its original.

The oral liquid should not be refrigerated. It should be kept in a cool, dry and dark place.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

Can I take/use this with other medicines?

Alert your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines:

- sleeping pills- anxiety pills- strong painkillers such as morphine and related medicines- certain antihistamines- medicines for mood or personality problems such as fluoxetine, paroxetine- fits (epilepsy) medicines such as carbamazepine- Parkinson's disease medicines such as levodopa- medicines that lower blood pressure- diuretics (water pills) such as frusemide or furosemide

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.